Cognitive Processes Of Change Research Articles

Emotional and cognitive processes in psychotherapy are associated with different aspects of the therapeutic relationship.

In this naturalistic study we aimed to investigate the relationships between two central change processes (affective and cognitive) and two common relationship factors ("Confidence in the therapist" and "Confidence in the treatment"), which have been shown to impact outcomes in a clinical context. We also investigated whether these interrelationships varied across treatment orientations (i.e., cognitive or psychodynamic focused). The sample consisted of 631 patients with a primary anxiety or depressive disorder who were admitted to an inpatient program and treated with psychotherapy. The data consisted of weekly measures of cognitive (i.e., "rumination") and affective (i.e., "problems with emotional clarity") change processes as well as scores on Confidence in the therapist and Confidence in the treatment and symptom distress. A multivariate version of the latent curve model with structured residuals was used to investigate the within-patient effects of week-to-week changes in all variables. Initial analyses established that both problems with emotional clarity and rumination predicted symptom distress. Further, we found that higher Confidence in the therapist predicted higher emotional clarity (but not lower rumination) whereas higher Confidence in the treatment predicted lower rumination (but did not affect emotional clarity). Post hoc analyses found that these interrelationships varied across treatment orientation (i.e., cognitive vs. psychodynamic). The results indicate that patients' experience of the therapist is associated with emotional change processes, and that patients' experience of the coherence and meaningfulness of treatment, on the other hand, is associated with cognitive change processes. Implications for clinical practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Promoting dairy consumption behavior in the school setting: an experiment based on the transtheoretical model

BackgroundNutrition education is a key component of health promotion programs which leads to the improvement of students’ nutritional behaviors. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is one of the models extensively used in changing people’s behaviors. This study aimed to change the dairy consumption behavior based on the TTM in female students.MethodsA controlled trial was conducted with 159 female students (intervention group: 56; control group: 103) in the 10-11th grades from two public schools in Soumesara city located in the west of Gilan Province, Iran. Demographic characteristics, knowledge, TTM constructs and stage of change of dairy consumption were collected using a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire. Data were gathered before and one month after the educational intervention. Chi-square test, t-test and ANCOVA were used to analyze the data and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsFifty-two students from the intervention and 93 from the control group completed the study. Only 15% of the students were in the action or maintenance stages of dairy consumption. After the intervention, mean scores of behavioral processes of change, cognitive processes of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy improved in the intervention group (P < 0.05 for all). Also, 37% and 16% of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively, were in the action or maintenance phase (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study showed that implementing an intervention based on the TTM would positively affect students’ dairy consumption behaviors. Also, it is suggested that the TTM be assessed in terms of other daily nutritional needs in students to promote their nutritional behaviors.Trial RegistrationThe study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (available online at https://en.irct.ir/trial/50003) on April 11, 2020 with the number IRCT20200718048132N1 and was approved by research ethics committee of Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

"Building that strong energy": An exploration of stigma coping strategies among sexual and gender minorities in Nigeria.

Sexual and gender minority stigma (SGM stigma) affecting Nigerian sexual and gender minorities (SGM) is associated with suboptimal HIV outcomes, and one mechanism found to explain the relationship is suicidal ideation. A better understanding of coping strategies may help mitigate the harmful impacts of SGM stigma. Interviews of 25 SGM from Abuja, Nigeria participating in the [Blinded for Review] study were thematically analyzed in regards to how they coped with SGM stigma. Four coping themes emerged: avoidant behaviors, self-monitoring so as to not attract stigma, seeking support and safe spaces to be themselves, and empowerment and self-acceptance through a process of cognitive change. They utilized multiple coping strategies, often believing that stigma could be avoided through the right actions and a masculine appearance. Multi-level and person-centered interventions that increase safety and support, facilitate resiliency, and improve mental health and engagement in HIV programming could mitigate the effects of SGM stigma and coping responses of isolation, blame, and mental health stressors among Nigerian SGM.

Application of the Transtheoretical Model to Identify Physical Activity-Related Psychological Variables in Disabled Adults

OBJECTIVES The current study aimed at identifying the theoretical relation of the transtheoretical model (TTM) to explain physical activity in Korean adults with physical disabilities.METHODS A total of 194 participants ( Age Mean = 48.65 years) were voluntarily recruited for this study. Dissemination sources for participant recruitment included: (a) a press release issued through the authors’ university; (b) recruitment flyers posted on various websites (e.g., Independent Living Centers, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, Veteran’s Administration Hospitals); and (c) announcements made through and in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Health and Wellness consortium members. Through these procedures, 194 adults (80.83%) completed the survey form; there were 113 males (58.3%) and 81 females (41.7%). The remaining 46 (19.17%) were excluded because they did not complete the survey form or return.RESULTS Results indicated that the TTM constructs assessed were significantly (P &lt; 0.001) associated with the stages of change for physical activity. The largest portion of variance was derived from the behavioral processes of change (ƞ2 = .40), followed by self-efficacy (ƞ2 = .30), the pros for exercise (ƞ2 = .19), the cognitive processes of change and the cons for exercise (ƞ2 = .16, respectively). Moreover, four discriminant functions (i.e., composite scores of the predictors) were produced in the first DDF analysis. These accounted for 71.0% (Wilks’ Λ = .31, χ2 [56] = 368.04, P &lt; .001), 20.9% (Wilks’ Λ = .66, χ2 [39] = 129.91, P &lt; 0.001), 6.3% (Wilks’ Λ = .88, χ2 [24] = 39.39, P &lt; 0.05), and 1.8% (Wilks’ Λ = .97, χ2 [11] = 9.04, P = .62), respectively, of the between-group (stage of change) variability.CONCLUSIONS The results provide further cross-sectional support for the internal validity of the transtheoretical model, as the processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance were important variables of a stage of change for physical activity, Additionally, the study is in general agreement with existing evidence among nondisabled populations and, therefore, it supports the external validation of TTM to a unique and understudied population segment.

Associations Between Smartphone Use for Physical Activity by South Korean College Students and Behavioral Change Constructs of the Transtheoretical Model.

We examined associations between smartphone uses to assist physical activity (PA) and change constructs of the transtheoretical model (TTM) among Korean college students. Our participants were 242 college students who completed a cross-sectional survey of their smartphone use, PA, and TTM constructs. We applied Poisson regression models to test the associations between stages of change and smartphone PA use frequencies in four categories over the previous week: 1= watching PA instruction videos; 2 = tracking PA; 3 = searching and booking sites for PA; and 4 = finding and making appointments with PA partners. The associations between these smartphone uses and participants' self-efficacy, decisional balance, processes of change, and PA were tested via ordinary least squares regression models. Results were that participants in the precontemplation and maintenance stages were the least and most frequent users of the smartphones in all four categories, respectively. Category one usage was positively associated with participants' scores on pros (β = .22, p = .004), cognitive processes of change (β = .30, p < .001), and behavioral processes of change (β = .28, p < .001). Category two usage was positively associated with PA (β = .06, p = .048). While category three usage was not significantly associated with any TTM constructs except for stages of change, category four usage was positively associated with self-efficacy (β = .28, p < .001), pros (β = .30, p < .001), cognitive processes of change (β = .31, p < .001), behavioral processes of change (β = .06, p <. 001), and PA (β = .45, p < .001). These findings suggest that (a) active college students are likely to take advantage of smartphone to assist their PA, and (b) smartphones can help motivate college students toward regular PA.

Application of transtheoretical model to explain adolescents’ smoking behavior

ABSTRACT Objective The study investigated the smoking distribution of adolescents, examined the differences in the TTM constructs (self-efficacy, pros, cons, and cognitive processes of changes, and behavioral processes of changes) by the stages of smoking, and tested the relationship between smoking and the TTM constructs. Methods The participants included 932 secondary school students ranging from 7th to 12th grade (males: 505, females: 427) in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Four Korean-version questionnaires were used to identify the stages of smoking behavior and the TTM constructs. Results Adolescents’ smoking behavior differed according to gender. In addition, behavioral and cognitive processes of change, self-efficacy, and pros significantly differed across the stages of smoking behavior, and the TTM constructs had a significant impact on smoking behavior. Conclusions This study could spawn the development of theory-based and empirically supported smoking cessation strategies and programs directed toward adolescents in the public health and health care settings.

Mediators of change in cognitive behavior therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders: A secondary analysis of a transdiagnostic randomized controlled trial.

ObjectiveUnderstanding the mechanisms of action of psychological treatments is a key first step in refining and developing more effective treatments. The present study examined hypothesized mediators of change of enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT‐E) and interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders (IPT‐ED).MethodA series of mediation studies were embedded in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing 20 weeks of CBT‐E and IPT‐ED in a transdiagnostic, non‐underweight sample of patients with eating disorders (N = 130) consecutively referred to the service. Three hypothesized mediators of change in CBT‐E (regular eating, weighing frequency, and shape checking) and the key hypothesized mediator of IPT‐ED (interpersonal problem severity) were studied.ResultsThe data supported regular eating as being a mediator of the effect of CBT‐E on binge‐eating frequency. The findings were inconclusive regarding the role of the other putative mediators of the effects of CBT‐E; and were similarly inconclusive for interpersonal problem severity as a mediator of the effect of IPT‐ED.DiscussionThis research highlights the potential benefits of embedding mediation studies within RCTs to better understand how treatments work. The findings supported the role of regular eating in reducing patients' binge‐eating frequency. Other key hypothesized mediators of CBT‐E and IPT‐ED were not supported, although the data were not inconsistent with them. Key methodological issues to address in future work include the need to capture both behavioral and cognitive processes of change in CBT‐E, and identifying key time points for change in IPT‐ED.

Relationships of physical activity with the transtheoretical model constructs among Korean adults

ABSTRACT The current study investigates the physical activity distribution of Korea adults, examines the differences in the TTM constructs by the stage of physical activity, and identify the relationship between physical activity and the TTM constructs. A total of 799 adults (male: 326, female: 473, age = 46.8 years) recruited from S district in Seoul, Korea. Four Korean-version questionnaires were used to identify the stages of physical activity and its related psychological variables: stage of physical activity change scale, decision balance scale for physical activity, exercise self-efficacy scale, and processes of change scale for physical activity. Results indicated that a significant difference among male and female adults for physical activity stage distribution emerged (χ2 = 67.2, df = 4, p <.001). Data were analyzed by frequency analysis, χ2 test, MANOVA, and regression analysis. Self-efficacy, pros, cons, cognitive processes of change and behavioral processes of change differentiated across the stages of physical activity. Furthermore, the findings revealed that adults’ physical activity was significantly correlated with the TTM constructs, and that the TTM constructs had a statistically significant impact on the physical activity. The current study provides starting points for interventions aimed at increasing physical activity levels based on the TTM.

Applying trans-theoretical model for blood donation among Spanish adults: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundRelying solely on altruistic appeals may fail to fulfil the increasing demand for blood supplies. Current research has largely been attempted to determine and understand motives that serve as blood donation drivers. The Trans-Theoretical Model of behaviour change (TTM) can be used to conceptualise the process of intentional blood donation behaviour.MethodsA cross sectional survey of Spanish adults was conducted. The final sample consisted of 504 individuals who were administered a self-report questionnaire including the measures of demographic characteristics, Stages of Change, Processes of Change, Self-efficacy and Decisional Balance. Data were analysed by frequency analysis, MANOVA/ANOVA and correlation analysis.ResultsFindings indicated that most of the behavioural and cognitive processes of change, self-efficacy and physical cons differentiated participants across the stages of change of blood donation. In contrast, eligibility cons and pros were less influential in stage transitions. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between TTM constructs except for the physical cons and the processes of change.ConclusionsThe present study extensively supports and replicates the applicability of the TTM to blood donation behaviour change and offers important implications for the development of effective stage-matched interventions to increase blood donation.

Application of trans-theoretical model for smoking cessation in sample of Iranian men

ABSTRACTThis is a quasi-experimental study conducted on 200 men smokers living in Fasa City, Iran, in 2016. The data gathering tools consisted of five parts: demographical information; questions related to the construct of the stages of change model; assessment of behavioral and cognitive change processes; self-efficacy; the outcomes of smoking; and the obstacles in the way of continual use of smoking; and smoking cessation. The courses consisted of eight sessions each 55-60 min. After six months, data were collected once more by inviting the subjects to the clinics and asking them to fill out the questionnaires. Linear regression showed that the stages of change in variables, pros, cons, the age of starting smoking, experimental processes, and self-efficacy were the predictors of smoking. Moreover, comparison of the control and experiment groups with regard to the change stages before and after the intervention did not show a significant difference between the two groups before the educational intervention. However, we observed a significant difference between the two groups after the educational intervention. The findings revealed the efficiency of the educational intervention, based on stages of change model, in the form of increase in the number of cessation smoking attempts.

Service innovations breaking institutionalized rules of health care

PurposeAlthough the digital era has given rise to major transformations in many industries, health care has been remarkably resistant to radical innovations coming outside the field. The purpose of this paper is to explore and explain how new ventures aim to break institutional arrangements (i.e. regulations, normative rules, and cultural-cognitive beliefs) protecting the field by introducing digitally enabled service innovations into health care markets.Design/methodology/approachThe study is qualitative and interpretative in nature and utilizes case study as a research strategy. The paper is based on data that were collected through narrative interviews and document analysis from seven new ventures participating in a start-up accelerator program.FindingsResults indicate that service innovations that require a change in the institutional structures of the health care system are enacted through three highly iterative key processes: institutional sensemaking that creates an understanding of prevailing institutional arrangements and that constructs meaning for institutional change efforts, theorization of change through linguistic device, and modifications of institutions by building legitimacy and mobilizing external constituencies.Practical implicationsThe findings provide practical insights into how new ventures struggle, navigate, and negotiate on specific alternatives related to institutional change while pursuing the introduction of innovations to market.Originality/valueThis research extends the institutional perspective on service innovation by zooming into micro-level processes of institutional change driven by new ventures. The study develops the theory of institutional entrepreneurship by highlighting cognitive processes of change, and suggests incorporating “institutional thinking” more tightly into the study and management of service innovation.

Validation of the Adolescent Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire and development of a short form.

This study aimed to validate the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire-Adolescent version (DEQ-A) in a large adolescent sample and to develop and validate a brief measure, the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire-Shortened Adolescent version (DEQ-SA). Cross-sectional survey of secondary school students (n=2357, aged 13-16, M=14.66years, SD=0.60). Students completed the DEQ-A in school, and measures of alcohol consumption including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption. The data were randomly split, and Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed using subsample 1, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis and reliability and validity testing were performed using subsample 2. The 24-item DEQ-A was successfully reduced to 12 items (DEQ-SA) without compromising psychometric properties. The DEQ-A and the DEQ-SA both demonstrated adequate-to-good fit to the data and very good internal reliability. The DEQ-A and DEQ-SA explained 20 and 18% of the variance in alcohol consumption. Adolescents who drank endorsed more positive alcohol expectancies, whereas alcohol-naïve adolescents scored higher on negative alcohol expectancies. As the DEQ-SA comprises two subscales of the DEQ-A, the endorsement rates are applicable to both scales. The DEQ-A and the short form of this scale developed in this study (DEQ-SA) show good reliability, internal structure and account for a large proportion of variance in alcohol consumption. Both scales can assist in targeting cognitive change processes within tailored alcohol prevention and treatment approaches, and investigating hypothesised mechanisms of change. The DEQ-SA is recommended for more time-limited environments. [Patton KA, Connor JP, Rundle-Thiele S, Dietrich T, Young RM, Gullo MJ. Validation of the Adolescent Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire and development of a short form.

Investigating cognitive change as a dynamic process / Investigar el cambio cognitivo como proceso dinámico

In this introduction to the special issue ‘Dynamic aspects of cognitive development and learning’ we emphasize the current need for studies that address, in depth, the dynamic aspects of cognitive development and learning. We integrate cognitive development and learning into the concept of cognitive change. We then reflect on the scope and limitations of certain procedures that are implemented to turn these processes of cognitive change into limited objects of empirical research. This reflection will allow us to ask ourselves about the potential and validity of studies resulting from these procedures to inform educational and health-related practices. After presenting some methodological alternatives to explain cognitive change in a more productive way, we present the six studies that make up this special issue. The selection seeks to offer a rich repertoire of ideas; data collection, analysis and visualization methods; and evidence and explanations of situated processes of change in an evolutionary-educational arc extending from the first months of life in the context of familiar interactions, to adult learning.

Meditative insight: validation of a French version of Ireland’s Insight Scale (2012) and exploration of relationships between meditative insight and perceived stress

ABSTRACTMeditative insight has been defined in previous research as a process of cognitive change based on the understanding through personal experience of the fundamental Buddhist concepts of impermanence, suffering, not-self, and emptiness. It has been proposed that the construct of insight represents an important mechanism in meditative practices, and an instrument for its assessment has recently been proposed. Building on previous findings, this study was designed (1) to test the psychometric properties and perform a validation of a French version of this instrument and (2) to explore the relationship between meditative insight and perceived stress through mediation of irrational beliefs. Self-report data were obtained from a sample of French-speaking meditation practitioners (N = 260). The results confirm the validity and the reliability of the French version of Ireland’s Insight Scale (2012), and partially support the hypothesis of the relationship between meditative insight and perceived stress being mediated by irrational beliefs.

اتجاهات النخبة الکوردیة نحو دور برامج الحوار التلیفزیونی فی دعم عملیات التغییر الاجتماعی برنامج (Legel Renj) نموذجاً : دراسة میدانیة

الملخص: سعت الدراسة إلى التأکد من دعم البرامج الحواري لإحداث التغيير المعرفي لدى مشاهديها، والکشف عن الإستراتيجيات التي يتم من خلالها دعم البرامج الحوارية لعمليات التغير المعرفي والتأکد من دعم البرامج الحوارية لإحداث التغيير في سلوک مشاهديها، وتنتمي هذه الدراسة إلى البحوث الوصفية ، وقد اعتمد الباحث على أداة استمارة الاستقصاء على عينة عمدية قوامها(100) مفردة من النخب المعرفية في إقليم کوردستان ذکورا وإناثا وبالأخص في مجالات ( التدريس الجامعي والأدب والفن والثقافة العامة والصحافة) في إقليم کوردستان الثلاث ( السليمانية، أربيل، دهوک)، وقد انتهت الدراسة إلى عدد من النتائج أهمها: اهتمام البرامج الحوارية في الفضائيات الکوردية والمتمثلة ببرنامج (Legel Renj) بدعم التغيرات المعرفية المختلفة من خلال جمع المعلومات المتعلقة بمضامين التغير الاجتماعي وتوزيعها على المشاهدين، کشف وتوضيح الأمور الغامضة والخفية التي تحدث في المجتمع، وتفسير مايجري في المجتمع من الظواهر والقضايا المتعلقة بالتغير الاجتماعي وتحليلها. اهتمام البرامج الحوارية في الفضائيات الکوردية بدعم التغيرات في المواقف فردا وجماعات وذلک عن طريق إثارة الشکوک حول مايجري في المجتمع من القضايا والأمور وإفرازاتها الاجتماعية، وإنتاج المعارف والحقائق الجديدة بشأن مايجري في المجتمع ودورهم فيها. اهتمام البرامج الحوارية في الفضائيات الکوردية بدعم التغيرات في السلوک فردا وجماعات وذلک عن طريق تحريک عواطف أفراد المجتمع وإفهامهم بضرورة إحداث التغيرات في سلوکهم، وتحريک العقول لإقناع المشاهد بضرورتهااعتمادا على الأدلة والبراهين الموضوعية والملموسة، وتکرار الرسائل التليفزيونية المتعلقة بقضايا ومضامين التغيرات السلوکية لإقناع المشاهدين بضرورتها. دعم واهتمام البرامج الحوارية في الفضائيات الکوردية بدعم التغيرات القيمية من خلال تقييم القيم السائدة ومقارنتها بالأخريات الأکثر عصرية منها، وتوظيف آليات التخويف وصناعة القلق موضوعيا بهدف إقناع المشاهدين بضرورة التغيرات في القيم العائقة للتغير الاجتماعي. Title: Attitude of the Kurdish elite towards the role of television's talk shows in support of social change processes (Legel Renj) model. Researcher name: Dr. Haimen Majeed Hassan & Dr. Ibtisam Ismail Abdullah Department of Media / University of Sulaymaniyah. Summary: The study sought to ensure the support of talk shows to cause cognitive change among its viewers, and to uncover the strategies through which the dialogue programs are supported to processes of cognitive change and make sure to support the talk programs to make a change in the behavior of viewers, and this study belongs to descriptive research, the researcher relied on a tool The questionnaire was based on a 100-member sample of male and female elites in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the fields of (university teaching, literature, art, public culture and journalism) in the three Kurdistan Region (Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Dohuk). And the study concluded to the following results: 1-The interest of the talk shows in the Kurdish satellite channels represented by the program (Legel Renj) to support the various cognitive changes through the collection of information on the content of social change and distribution to viewers, to detect and clarify the mysterious and hidden things that are happening in society, and to explain what is happening in the community of phenomena and issues related to social change and analysis. 2-The interest of the talk shows in the Kurdish satellite channels to support changes in attitudes individually and in groups by raising doubts about what is happening in the community of issues and matters and their social consequences, and the production of new knowledge and facts about what is happening in society and their role in it. 3-The interest of the talk shows in the Kurdish satellite channels to support the changes in the behavior of individuals and groups. 4-By moving the emotions of members of society and understanding them to make changes in their behavior, and moving minds to convince the viewer of their necessity, based on objective and concrete evidence, and the repetition of television messages on the issues and implications of behavioral changes to convince viewers of the necessity.

BECOMING BELIEVERS: STUDYING THE CONVERSION PROCESS FROM WITHIN

Abstract Employing an extended case method ethnography (Burawoy 1998), the researcher joined five new members forming a spiritualist's group under the leadership of an experienced advocate. Over a period of eighteen months, the researcher attended all the group's activities and events. Data were collected to reflexively interrogate the process theory of conversion proposed by Lewis Rambo (1993). The data revealed conversion to be a multifaceted and dynamic process of cognitive change, mediated by structural, and contextual forces. The results provide a reconceptualization of Rambo's theory, presenting a theoretical expansion of the model emphasizing its mechanisms of action. The paper details the composition of the “Interaction‐Commitment” mechanism, operationalized within four submechanisms emanating from Rambo's roles, rituals, rhetoric, and relationships. This longitudinal study shows that most of the hard work toward conversion occurs before any formal interaction with a conversion advocate. Conversion operates most effectively under conditions of cognitive economy wherein the belief path follows a path of least cognitive expenditure.

Longitudinal changes in psychosocial constructs and physical activity among adults with physical disabilities

Background Given the importance of physical activity (PA) and the low activity levels among adults with physical disabilities, it is important to understand how temporal changes in psychosocial constructs affect PA changes over time. Objective/Hypothesis Examine if changes in the transtheoretical model (TTM) constructs affected changes in PA levels over time. Methods One hundred thirty-two adults with physical disabilities, such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries, completed a web-based survey once every 4 months, for a total of 3 time points, to assess the TTM constructs and PA. Six latent growth curve analyses were conducted using Mplus 5 to examine if longitudinal changes in the TTM constructs affected temporal changes in PA levels. Results All six hypothesized models fit the sample data well (e.g., χ 2 = NS; RMSEA = <.001-.06). In a descending order of significance, the best predictors of the initial levels of PA were the stages of change, the behavioral processes of change, the cognitive processes of change, self-efficacy, and perceived pros. The meaningful predictors of PA changes over time were the initial levels and the slopes of the cognitive processes of change, perceived pros, and the behavioral processes of change. Although the slopes of the stages of change and perceived cons did not have a statistically significant effect on PA changes, their effects approached a medium size (.33 and .38, respectively). Conclusions In order to reassure the maintenance of an exercise program, interventionists need to first emphasize cognitive, motivational strategies (cognitive processes of change), such as the importance of PA and positive thoughts about exercise participation as well as exercise benefits (pros) before they implement behavioral strategies (behavioral processes of change), such as social support, goal setting, and self-rewarding.

Correlates of stages of change for physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis

The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) is commonly used to understand physical activity (PA) behavior in the general population; however, few researchers have explored its relevance for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the relative importance of health (symptoms and mobility impairments) and TTM constructs (behavioral and cognitive processes of change) in influencing stages of change placement for PA in a sample of 303 persons with MS using discriminant function analysis. The overall accuracy of predicting stages of change was 58.75%. Behavioral (r(2) = .35) and cognitive processes (r(2) = .17) accounted for the most variance, followed by mobility (r(2) = .11) and self-efficacy (r(2) = .05). Results provide support for evaluating whether TTM-based interventions can promote PA in adults with MS.

Collaborative empiricism in cognitive therapy: A definition and theory for the relationship construct.

[Clin Psychol Sci Prac 18: 47–61, 2011] Despite the consensus regarding the importance of collaborative empiricism (CE) in Beck’s cognitive therapy, absent are operational definitions, measures, or empirical investigations of the construct. Existing research has centered on constructs such as the working alliance and has produced inconsistent findings. It is unclear whether CE is related to treatment outcomes, or whether it mediates other cognitive change processes. This article argues that the core meaning of collaboration in CE, “sharing the work,” is not captured by the most frequently used construct of the therapeutic alliance in cognitive therapy research. A theory of CE, based on self-determination theory, is developed that integrates the collaborative and empirical aspects of CE and addresses the motivational aspect of the construct.

Psychosocial Factors of Stages of Change Among Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

Relationships among full constructs of the transtheoretical model using a sample of 121 adults with mild intellectual disabilities in Taiwan were examined. Self-reports of stages of change and transtheoretical model psychosocial measures were gathered through interviews. Although MANCOVA revealed that behavioral processes of change, cognitive processes of change, self-efficacy, and perceived pros increased across stages, we did not find a clear linear pattern of association. Direct discriminant function analysis indicated that the most important predictors of stages of change were behavioral processes, cognitive processes, and self-efficacy. The overall stage of change classification accuracy using transtheoretical model psychosocial constructs was 56.2%. Psychosocial measures specifically developed for this population should be further explored.